A Veil Lifted: Royal Decree Sparks New Era for Saudi Arabian Women
Much has happened this year. From hurricanes, terrorist attacks, unexpected election wins, lots of tragedies and even more losses. And yet, despite the gloomy overcast obscuring our hope that things will get better, we have also seen a tide rising. Mainly women who have stood up and gained back their long-silenced voices, their repressed freedom, and their subdued confidence. Now we are in the process of seeing the oppression of Saudi Arabian women being lifted with a royal decree from Saudi King Salman, on Sept. 26, ordering the issuance the issuance of driver’s licenses for women in the country effective June 2018.
(Image: The Express Tribune)
The royal decree was issued on live state television and simultaneous media event at the Saudi embassy in Washington to apply the traffic regulations, namely the issuance of driver’s licenses for both men and women, as well as the formation of a high-level committee of ministries – Interior, Finance, Labor, and Social Development – to thoroughly examine the required arrangements needed to enforce it.
We also think that it is a good thing that there are special centres run by women for females who get into road accidents or commit traffic violations as it ensure they will not be subjected to usual ridicule by male officers.
(Image: Reuters)
The new regulations also include the authorisation for women to drive motorcycles as well as trucks without special license plate numbers for female-driven vehicles. If there was, however, it will only push women back further into the dark, hidey-hole a majority of patriarchal systems prefer to have them caged in.
The momentous decision by the King was met with a global cheer as men and women far and wide celebrated an end to Saudi Arabian women’s longstanding malignant battle with oppression.